Fabricated ski



Dc. 5, 1967 A. L. SCOTT 3,356,380

FABRICATED SKI Filed April 22, 1965 ARTHUR LSCOT T m mWME/M A ORNE YS I NVENTOR.

United States Patent O 3,356,380 FABRICATED SKI Arthur L. Scott, Richland County, S.C., assignor to Columbia Products Company, Columbia, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Filed Apr. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 449,950 11 Claims. (Cl. 280-11.13)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The glass fiber reinforced plastic channel-shaped body is integrally formed with the polyethylene plastic bottom Strip and metallic edge strips in place. The wood insert is subsequently bonded within the body. The edge strips are retained securely in place while the body lends high strength and fiexibility to the ski.

This invention relates to a fabricated ski. More particularly, this invention relates to a ski fabricated of fiberglass and wood. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a fabricated fiberglass and wood ski having metal cornering edges and a plastic-slide surface.

Generally, the invention consists of a channel formed of fiberglass with the metallic edge strips molded in place. A suitable strip of polyethylene is disposed on the bottom and a wood insert is positioned in the channel.

The ski will not warp. The edge strips will stay in place and the weight, resiliency and flexibility of the ski are as desired. The appearance is most pleasing.

The objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description and appended claims when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several Views and wherein:

FIG. l illustrates a cross-sectional view taken at line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of a ski according to this invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a ski according to this invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an edge strip incorporated into a ski according to this invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken at line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of an alternate edge strip incorporated into a ski according to this invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Referring first to FIGS. l to 3, the ski is comprised of a channel-shaped fiberglass body 1, a covering material bottom surface strip 2 of plastic, a pair of elongated metallic edge strips 3 and a wood insert 4. The plastic bottom surface strip 2 is made of any suitable plastic material which will provide an efficient slide surface for the ski. For example, the plastic bottom surface strip 2 can be made of polyethylene. The metallic edge strips 3 are preferably made of steel.

The fiberglass body 1 is made with a bow in its length as is well known in the art. The front end 5 of the fiberglass body 1 is curved upwardly in the normal fashion. The metallic edge strips 3 form the bottom corners of the ski and are flush with the bottom of the plastic strip 2 as shown and extend longitudinally along the ski to the upwardly curved front end 5.

In order to make the ski according to the invention, the plastic strip 2 which need be only a few thousandths of an inch thick as placed in a suitable mold. A number of fiberglass strands each coated with a suitable uncured or unset bonding resin are then placed in the mold in layered fashion over the plastic strip 2. After building up some thickness of fiberglass, the metallic edge strips 3 are set ICC in place flush with the bottom of the plastic strip 2 and in abutment with the sides of the plastic strip 2. Subsequent coated fiberglass strands are then placed in the mold to complete the channel shape for the finished ski. The fiberglass in the mold is then subjected to heat and pressure so as to cause the bonding resin to harden and set. This results in the bonding together of the plastic strip 2, the metallic edge strips 3 and fiberglass into a channel-shaped member.

In the preferred form of the invention, the glass fibers are disposed generally parallel to one another and longitudinally of the ski to develop the full potential of the high tensile strength of the glass fibers.

The fibers may be preassembled into a substantially unidirectional or warpless cloth, with or without a few cross fibers.

Of course, many of the advantages of this invention can be obtained with a woven glass fiber fabric, cut and placed in the mold to give the form described above.

The fiberglass channel, because of its shape, offers all necessary rigidity and stiffness without excessive Weight.

The channel-shaped member is provided with a suitable adhesive coating within the channel for bonding the wood insert 4 therein. The wood insert may also be provided with the adhesive to insure proper bonding. Any suitable adhesive resin may be employed for the bonding process, for example, epoxy.

The wood insert keeps the weight of the ski to that desired and further, when suitably finished, adds greatly to the attractive appearance ofthe ski while providing a suitable material for attachment of harness or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, the metal edge strips 3 each comprises a main body portion 6 and an outstanding leg portion 7 which is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 8 therein. The leg portion 7 extends into the fiberglass body member 1 a sufficient distance so as to be permanently held therein. The apertures 8 in each leg portion 7 are provided to insure a strong bond between the fiberglass body member 1 and metallic edge Strips 3 when the fiberglass is hardened and Set in the mold. As noted in FIG. l, the leg portions 7 extend into the fiberglass body member 1 without coming into contact with the plastic strip 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of the metallic edge strips 3 comprises a main body portion 9 and an outstanding leg portion 10. The leg portion 10 in this embodiment is provided lwith a series of longitudinally spaced transverse slots Il therein. These slots 11 insure a strong bond between the fiberglass body member 1 and metallic edge strips 3.

The completed ski is ready for use when a suitable harness is mounted thereon. As pointed out above, this is accomplished by means of wood screws extending into the wood insert. Such a securement is simple and readily achieved and a marked improvement over composite skis of the prior art.

The problem of warpage in the ski will not arise since the channel-shaped fiberglass section of the ski will not warp and will counteract any warpage tendency on the part of the wood insert. Such a fiberglass body member will also provide more desirable exible characteristics to the ski than the prior art skis.

While the invention is thus described, it is not wished that it be limited to the precise details described as changes may be readily made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A ski comprising an elongated generally channelshaped body member having a flat bottom surface, a covering material bonded to said bottom surface of said body member, a pair of elongated edge strips abutting on opposite sides of said covering material, each of said edge strips having a portion extending into and bonded within said body member and an insert member bonded within the channel of said body member.

2. A ski comprising an elongated channel-shaped fiberglass body member having a flat bottom surface, a covering material bonded to said bottom surface of said fiberglass body members, a pair of elongated edge strips each having a portion bonded within said fiberglass body member and abutting the sides of said covering material to form the bottom corners of the ski, and an insert member bonded within the channel of said fiberglass body member for receiving a harness.

3. A ski comprising an elongated channel-shaped fiberglass body member having a fiat bottom surface, a plastic covering strip having slidable characteristics bonded to said bottom surface of said fiberglass body member, a pair of elongated edge strips each having a portion bonded within said fiberglass body member and abutting the sides of said plastic covering strip, and an insert member bonded within the channel of said fiberglass body member.

4. A ski as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plastic covering strip is polyethylene.

S. A ski comprising an elongated channel-shaped berglass body member having a flat bottom surface, a plastic covering strip having slidable characteristics bonded to said bottom surface of said fiberglass body member, a pair of elongated edge strips bonded within said fiberglass body member, each of said edge strips having a main body portion flush with and abutting said plastic covering strip and a leg portion bonded within said fiberglass body member and spaced from said plastic covering strip, and an insert member bonded within the channel of said fiberglass body member.

6. A ski as set forth in claim 5 wherein said insert member is made of wood.

7. A ski as set forth in claim 5 wherein said edge strip leg portion has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures therein.

8. A ski as set forth in claim 5 wherein said edge strip leg portion has a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots therein.

9. A ski comprising an elongated channel-shaped fiberglass body member having a fiat bottom surface, a polyethylene covering strip bonded to said bottom surface of said fiberglass body member, a pair of elongated metallic edge strips bonded within said fiberglass body member, each of said edge strips having a main body portion ush with and abutting said polyethylene covering strip and a leg portion bonded within said fiberglass body member and spaced from said polyethylene covering strip, and an insert member of wood bonded within the channel of said fiberglass body member whereby said wood insert is adapted to secure a harness thereto by means of wood screws.

10. A ski member comprising a channel-shaped fiber glass reinforced plastic member having a bottom surface, a plastic strip bonded to said bottom surface, and a pair of edge strips disposed on opposite sides of said plastic strip, each said edge strip having a leg portion extending into and bonded within said plastic member.

11. A ski member as set forth in claim 10 wherein each said leg portion is slotted and is spaced from said plastic strip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,178 11/1954 Rheinfrank 280--11.13 3,199,882 8/1965 Peillex 27.80-11.13

FOREIGN PATENTS 572,337 3/1959 Canada. Ad. 60,548 4/1954 France. Ad. 71,512 7/1959 France. 1,356,604 2/ 1964 France.

631,879 1 l/ 1949 Great Britain.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

MILTON L. SMITH, Examiner. 

1. A SKI COMPRISING AN ELONGATED GENERALLY CHANNELSHAPED BODY MEMBER HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM SURFACE, A COVERING MATERIAL BONDED TO SAID BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID BODY MEMBER, A PAIR OF ELONGATED EDGE STRIPS ABUTTING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID COVERING MATERIAL, EACH OF SAID EDGE STRIPS HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING INTO AND BONDED WITHIN 